If Friends were Flowers...

Yesterday I enjoyed coffee with a friend, Jenna (who took the above picture).  

There are few things as rare and sweet as kindred spirits… Not even my delectable latte or her scrumptious raspberry tart were as tasty as a conversation between budding friends.

Jenna found this delicious cafe, Bittersweet (on Belmont Ave.), and we ate it up!  

(Don't worry - we left some for you, too!)

Please, if you live in Chicago... Next time Starbucks tempts you, come here instead!
Drinks are about the same price, and you can supplement them with ridiculously good goodies.

I love finding unique beauty in the unexpected (and uninspected) places.

(That goes for the food and the friend. :)

Sweet Home...

North Carolina

to which I traversed to see...

my sweet sister

Shelby

who was awesome as Jo March in Little Women,

the coolest character in the play (as the mustache suggests)

as well as the most creative,

and devoted,

and astonishing.  :)

After the play, we enjoyed a few days of Carolina bliss together...

including the best chicken nachos (from 3 Amigos)

(mmmmmm...)

the famous 60 cent ice creams from Woodard's

and the delightful views of this tired (but brimming with beauty) town...

complete with our state bird...

and our state flower...

and including the random...

and the old...

Overall, I had a wonderful time,

and was sad to see the sun go down on my last day in North Carolina

Missing them so... sweet home North Carolina...

and the sweet ice cream

but mostly my sweet sister.

Love you, Shel!

Friends on Dover Street

Every Wednesday night, Eric and I venture up to the North side of Chicago to visit some dear friends and talk about God's word and how it speaks into and changes our lives.  Although we've only known some of these people for a very short time, I feel so close to them and honored to call them my brothers and sisters in Christ.  They've been used by God to encourage me, to enlighten me, and to shape me more into the image of Jesus.  I'm SO thankful for them!

My Awesome Community Group

left to right, standing:
Donggee, Joe, David (our fearless leader :), Adam, Nemiah

sitting: Eric, Beth, me, Kathy and Jenna

And now the inevitable band photo...

See how cool we are?

Thank you, Jesus, for these wonderful friends!

Photos courtesy of my friend Jenna Satterthwaite, far right in top photo, who unfortunately didn't get into the "Action Shot" because she was just testing the camera then!  Who knew that picture would come out so cool?!  :)